Fluid operated wrench

ABSTRACT

A fluid operated wrench for tightening and loosening threaded connectors comprises a housing having a first axis, a drive arranged in the housing and providing a driving force in an axial direction, an engaging unit of one type provided in a polygonal opening for engaging respective threaded connector to be turned and an engaging unit of another type provided with connecting means for attaching exchangeable socket projections thereto made to engage respective threaded connector to be turned and both including an engaging element connected with the drive for turning about a second axis which is transverse to the first axis, the engaging units being mounted exchangeably so that the engaging units of one type can be removed and replaced by the engaging units of another type or vice versa, a structure in the housing for exchangeably mounting the engaging units so that the engaging unit of one type can be removed and replaced by the engaging unit of another type and vice versa, and a unit for providing reaction in a first portion in the plane of the engaging unit of one type so as to abut against one neighboring threaded connector and in a second position perpendicular to the first position to abut against one neighboring threaded connector when the engaging unit of another type is mounted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fluid operated wrench for tighteningand loosening of threaded connectors.

Fluid operated wrenches of the above mentioned general type are known inthe art. Basically there are two types of fluid operated wrenches whichare specific to respective works and conditions of their use. A separatedrive-type fluid operated wrench as a working element which is formed asa square projection, and exchangeable sockets are attached to theprojection so as to tighten or loosen respective threaded connectors.These tools cannot however operate in limited clearance areas in whichspace is too narrow for inserting a socket. In such areas alimited-clearance fluid operated wrench is used which as a rule is veryflat and has a working element provided with a hexagonal opening forengaging respective threaded connectors. Each of the above describedwrenches is satisfactory for performing the respective works inrespective areas. The disadvantage however of this approach is that aconsumer must have two different tools for the abovementioned twodifferent applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluidoperated wrench which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide afluid operated wrench which can be used both in regular areas and inlimited clearance areas.

In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparenthereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, brieflystated, a fluid operated wrench for tightening and loosening a threadedconnector, which comprises a housing having a first axis, drive meansarranged in the housing and providing a driving force in an axialdirection, engaging means of one type provided with a polygonal openingfor engaging respective threaded connector to be turned and engagingmeans for attaching exchangeable socket projections thereto made toengage respective threaded connector to be turned and both including anengaging element connectable with the drive means for turning about asecond axis which is transverse to the first axis, the engaging meansbeing mounted exchangeably so that the engaging means of one type can beremoved and replaced by to the engaging means of another type or viceversa, means .[.in the housing.]. for .[.ecxhangeably.]..Iadd.exchangeably .Iaddend.mounting the engaging means so that theengaging means of one type can be replaced by engaging means of anothertype and vice versa, means providing reaction in a first position in theplan of to the engaging means of one type so as to abut against oneneighboring threaded connector when the engaging means of one type ismounted, and in a second position perpendicular to said first positionto abut against one neighboring object threaded connector when theengaging means of another type is mounted.

When the fluid operated wrench is designed in accordance with thepresent invention it becomes a universal tool which can be used both inregular (relatively wide) areas and also in limited clearance (narrow)areas. No longer is it necessary for a consumer to have two differenttools to perform the respective works in respective areas.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the fluid operated wrench in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 1a is a side view substantially corresponding to the view of FIG.1, but showing the fluid operated wrench with a different engagingmember;

FIG. 1b is a plan view of the fluid operated wrench of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line II--II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a section taken along the line III--III in FIG.1; and

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line IV--IV in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A fluid operated wrench in accordance with the present invention has ahousing which is subdivided into two housing portions identified withreference numerals 1 and 2. The housing portions 1 and 2 adjoin eachother along a dividing plane identified with reference numeral 3. It isto be understood that the housing portions 1 and 2 can be formed asindividual parts and then connected with one another, for example bywelding along the dividing plane 3. On the other hand, the housingportions 1 and 2 can be originally made as a one-piece member in whichcase the dividing plane 3 is just an imaginary plane. The housing 1accommodates a drive which is formed as a cylinder-piston unit. Thecylinder-piston unit has a cylinder 4 which forms an inner chamber, andthe piston 5 which is movable in the inner chamber of the cylinder 4under the action of fluid, for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic medium,admitted into the inner chamber in the respective side of the piston 5.The piston is connected with a piston rod 6 which extends in an axialdirection beyond the housing portion 1 into the housing portion 2.

An engaging unit for engaging and turning a threaded connector isfurther provided and connected with the drive unit in a manner whichwill be described in detail hereinbelow. The engaging unit includes alink which is identified with reference numeral 7 and has a centralopening, and an engaging member which is formed for example as a ratchetwheel 8 arranged in the opening of the link 7 and provided with anengaging formation. In FIG. 1 the engaging formation is formed as ahexagonal opening 9 which can engage for example a hexagonal head of abolt or a nut. The engaging member 8 is turnably inserted into the link7. A pawl 10 is connected with the link 7 in a known manner, for examplepivotably as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,641. The ratchet wheel 9and the pawl 10 are provided with interengaging projections and grooveswhich are formed so that when the link 7 is turned in a workingdirection the projections of the pawl 10 engage in the grooves of theratchet wheel 9, while when the link is turned in an opposite directionthe projections of the pawl 10 just slip over the projections of theratchet wheel 9, as disclosed in the above-mentioned patent. Two linkplates 11' and 11" are arranged at both sides of the links 7 so as tosandwich them therebetween. The link 7 has an upper end which ispivotally connected with a free end of the piston rod 6 by firstconnecting means. The first connecting means can be formed for exampleby a pin 12 which is pivotably and slidingly guided in an opening 13formed in the free end of the piston rod 6.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the invention, the housingportion 1 is round or square, while the housing portion 2 is formed byby two housing plates 2' and 2'. The link plates 11' and 11" arearranged between the housing plates 2' and 2" and immovably connectedwith one another. This connection is performed by second connectingmeans which can be formed by a pin 14 which extends through openings 15in the housing plates 2' and 2" and openings 16 in the link plates 11'and 11". The above connection also includes a third connecting meansformed for example by projections 17 provided on the link plates 11' and11" and grooves 18 provided on the housing plates 2' and 2" and formedso that the projections 17 engage in the grooves 18.

As can be seen from the drawings, the projections 17 and the grooves 18extend substantially in an asial direction of the housing.

A reaction member 19 is further provided in the fluid operated wrench.In the shown embodiment a reaction member 19 is attachable to the link 7and the link plates 11', 11" by means of two pins 20 and 21. Thereaction member 19 also has an opening 22 for receiving the pin 14 ofthe second connecting means.

As mentioned hereinabove, the fluid operated wrench is expeciallysuitable for use in different areas. For this purpose the engaging unitis mounted in the wrench exchangeably. The link 7 together with thereaction member 19 can be easily exchanged by removing the pin 14 andsliding the link plates together with the link 7, the engaging member 8,the pawl 10, and the reaction member 19 to the left along the projection17 and the grooves 18 of the associated plates. Instead of this engagingunit, a different engaging unit can be installed in the fluid operatedwrench, as will be explained in detail hereinbelow.

The engaging unit which is shown in FIG. 1 is used for limited clearanceapplications or in other words for operation in very narrow spaces. Forthis purpose the engaging unit is flat and provided with the hexagonalopening 9. The different engaging unit which is used for operation inregular spaces which are wider is shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. It includesa link 7' and a rachet wheel 8' provided with a square projection 9'. Aplurality of exchangeable sockets can be attached to the squareprojection 9' for respective works. When the regular fluid operatedwrench as shown in FIG. 1a is used, the reaction member has to bedesigned and arranged differently. This reaction member is formed as along reaction lever 23 which is attachable to the housing portion 1 byinterengaging splines 24 formed in the inner opening of the reactionlever 23 and splines 25 formed on the outer surfact of the housingportion 1. A fixing bolt 24 fixes the reaction lever 23 on the housingportion 1. During operation of the fluid operated wrench of theinvention as a limited clearance tool shown in FIG. 1, the threadedconnector to be tightened or loosened by the engaging member 8 islocated in the same plane with a neighboring nut or bolt, against whichthe reaction member 19 located in the same plane with the engagingmember 8 can abut. In contrast, when the fluid operated wrench of theinvention is formed as a regular tool with the engaging member 9', thereaction member 23 extends substantially traversely to the axis of thecylinder-piston unit and in direction of the axis of the engagingprojection 9' to reach a neighboring object located below the tool.

It is believed to be understood that when the fluid operated wrench ofthe invention has to be used for regular operation (not in a limitedclearance area), the engaging unit shown in FIG. 1 is removed andreplaced by the engaging unit shown in FIG. 1a. The same is true withrespect to the abutment members, namely the abutment member 19 shown inFIG. 1 is removed, and the abutment member 23 is arranged on the wrench.

While the abutment member 19 shown in FIG. 1 is connected with the link7 by the respective pins, it can also be made of one-piece with the link7. Moreover, the reaction member 19 can be formed of one piece with thehousing 1, 2 and remain permanently on the wrench regardless of whetherthe engaging member 7, 8, 9 or the engaging member 7', 8', 9' isinstalled in the wrench.

The fluid operated wrench in accordance with the present inventionoperates in the following manner:

The opening 9 or the projection 9' of the engaging member is engagedwith a threaded connector to be turned, and the reaction member 19 or 23is brought to abutment against a neighboring object. A fluid is suppliedinto the inner chamber of the cylinder 4 during a working stroke, sothat the piston 5 is moved and the piston rod 6 is extended, or in otherwords displaced to the left in the drawings. In response to thisdisplacement, the link 7 or 7' turns counterclockwise, thus turning thepawl 10 which with its projections engaging into the grooves of theratchet wheel turns the engaging member 8 or 8' with the opening 9 orthe projection 9'. The opening 9 or a socket arranged on the projection9' turns the threaded connector about an axis B in a counterclockwisedirection. During a return stroke of the piston 5 the projections of thepawl member 10 just slip over the projections of the engaging member.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in afluid operated wrench for tightening and loosening a threaded connector,it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since variousmodifications and structural changes may be made without departing inany way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. A fluid operated wrench fortightening and loosening threaded connectors, comprising a housinghaving a first axis; drive means arranged in said housing and providinga driving force in an axial direction; engaging means of one typeprovided with a polygonal opening for engaging respective threadedconnector to be turned and engaging means of another type provided withconnecting means for attaching exchangeable socket projections theretomade to engage respective threaded connector to be turned and bothincluding an engaging element connectable with said drive means forturning about a second axis which is transverse to said first axis, saidengaging means being mounted exchangeably so that said engaging means ofone type can be removed and replaced by said engaging means of anothertype or vice versa; means .[.in said housing.]. for exchangeablymounting said engaging means so that said engaging means of one type canbe removed and replaced by said engaging means of another type and viceversa; means providing reaction in a first position in the plane of saidengaging means of one type so as to abut against one neighboringthreaded connector when said engaging means of one type is mounted, andin a second position perpendicular to said first position to abutagainst one neighboring threaded connector when said engaging means ofanother type is mounted, said means providing a reaction including onereaction unit arranged to abut against one neighboring threadedconnector when said engaging means of one type is mounted, and anotherreaction unit arranged to abut against one neighboring threadedconnector when said engaging means of another type is mounted; and oneholding means on said housing for holding said one reaction unit whensaid engaging means of one type is mounted, and another holding means onsaid housing for holding the other reaction unit when said engagingmeans of another type is mounted.
 2. A fluid operated wrench as definedin claim 1, wherein at least one of said reaction units is connectedwith a respective one of said engaging means and is exchangeabletogether with the latter.
 3. A fluid operated wrench as defined in claim1, wherein at least one of said holding means is formed so that arespective one of said reaction units is removably held by said at leastone holding means.
 4. A fluid operated wrench is defined in claim 1,wherein said one reaction unit which abuts against one neighboringthreaded connector when said engaging means of one type is mounted isformed as a plate extending substantially in said axial direction.
 5. Afluid operated wrench as defined in claim 4, wherein said other reactionunit which abuts against one neighboring threaded connector when saidengaging means of another type is mounted is formed as an elongatedreaction lever extending transversely to said first axis of saidhousing.
 6. A fluid operated wrench as defined in claim 1, wherein eachof said engaging means includes a link which is operatively connectedwith said drive means so as to be directly driven by the latter, aratchet wheel turnably mounted in said link and provided with saidpolygonal opening or said connecting means respectively for engaging athreaded connector, and a pawl connected with said link and cooperatingwith said ratchet so as to turn the latter in response to turning ofsaid link by said drive means, said engaging means of said one typebeing removable and replaceable by said engaging means of said othertype as a whole by removing and replacing a respective one of saidlinks, ratchet wheels and pawls together.